Nursing Unit Assistant Certificate
| Type | Part Time |
|---|---|
| Length | 8 months |
| Campus | Prince George |
| Delivery | In Class |
| Fees* |
$6,657
*All fees are an estimate. |
| Starting Semesters | Fall 2026 |
Fall Orientation 2026
Overview
Are you interested in obtaining a rewarding introductory career in the health care sector? Become a Nursing Unit Assistant in just one year by enrolling in the Nursing Unit Assistant (NUA) Certificate program.
As a Nursing Unit Assistant, you will strongly contribute to overall patient care in many settings. Successful Nursing Unit Assistants possess a keen eye for detail and excellent communication skills to help facilitate the successful functioning of a nursing unit. This fast-paced, pivotal role is both rewarding and challenging.
Careers
This program will provide you with all the necessary knowledge and confidence to successfully work as an NUA in a vast array of nursing units and clinical settings:
- Medical Clinics
- Care Homes
- Hospitals (Surgical)
- Hospitals (Medical)
- Hospitals (Maternity)
What you will learn
Through both lecture and a supported practicum placement, you will learn different types of physician's orders, policies, ethical standards and duties that encompass the NUA role. With focused learning outcomes in technology, customer service, and employment skills, you will be prepared to exceed expectations.
Example of salaries for Nursing Unit Assistants.
Courses
Required
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course examines the basic fundamentals of medical terminology in both the written and the spoken forms. Mastery of word parts and word building skills will aid the student in understanding medical terminology and anatomical relations. The use of terms to describe or identify diseases, disorders, various medical procedures, and abnormalities, as well as the use of appropriate medical abbreviations will also be studied.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring/Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
Providing culturally safe competent care is essential for all healthcare professionals. This course provides a foundation in cultural competency. The objective of this course is to have students challenge their personal and cultural biases while learning about decolonized and alternative ways of knowing and engaging in healthcare. The course prioritizes cultural knowledge from Indigenous communities in the regions that CNC serves in Northern British Columbia, while providing groundwork for students to practice with more sensitivity, cultural humility, and respect for all cultures.Required Core
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
Nursing Unit Assistant students will be provided with the essential skills necessary for achieving successful consideration of employment in the health care industry. A professional and articulate resume and cover letter as well as interview skills will be developed. Students will learn appropriate workplace behavior and attire, customer service skills, basics of emotional intelligence, conflict resolution and handling workplace stress.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course will introduce students to patient charts, the forms that are commonly used on charts, and chart packages used in outpatient and inpatient specialty nursing units. Students will learn to recognize each form and the uses of each of these forms and practise completing orders relating to these areas. They will learn the chart order and the nursing unit assistant's responsibilities in maintaining patient charts. The importance of communication between patient registration, medical records and nursing units will be discussed.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
Students will learn the responsibilities of the nursing unit assistant in admitting, discharging and transferring patients. Students will also learn isolation precautions and the role of the nursing unit assistant in ensuring precautions are taken and procedures followed. Physician's orders, transcription and sign-offprocedures are learned at an introductory level. The purpose of the Health Information Management department and their role in collecting patient information from hospital admissions will be discussed.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
Students will learn to use the 24-hour clock in a clinical setting. They will learn about drug categories/uses, non-formulary preparations and the names of the most common medications. Students will also be introduced to the types of Medication Administration Records (MAR) and will practise transcribing orders onto these records in an accurate and timely manner. The many uses of the Compendium of Pharmaceuticalsand Specialties (CPS), pharmacology vocabulary and abbreviations will be taught.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
Students will continue to expand knowledge and utilize the skills applied in NRUA 173. Drugs affecting nervous, endocrine and respiratory systems, as well as topical medications will be introduced and recalled. Students will continue to process medication orders and practise transcribing analgesia, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), withdrawal, intravenous (IV), epidural and insulin medications. Pharmacological databases will be demonstratedand students will have the opportunity to practise utilizing these databases to further expand their knowledge about medication in all settings.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
Students learn about the laboratory department, cancer control agency and related subdepartments. They will relate different functions of the laboratory, from collecting specimens for analysis to interpreting results, and recognizing lab personnel involved in each function. Nursing Unit Assistant students will learn to complete requisitions for lab tests, identify patient preparations, and recognize departments responsible.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to be confident with processing diagnostic orders. Nursing Unit Assistant students will be exposed to the medical imaging department, cardiology department, and respiratory department and sub departments. The focus will be on successful completion of orders for each test including patient preparations.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
Students will become familiar with common surgical and medical procedures and apply this knowledge directly to order processing. A practical approach to operating room (OR) bookings and the categories of each procedure is taught. The importance of patient preparation for these procedures is emphasized and students will locate the correct preparations for each. Ordering the necessary supplies for procedures done on the unit and the necessary forms required for each procedure will be taught. Students will practice coordinating appointments for patients after discharge including home care visits.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
In this course students learn how to process, transcribe and requisition physician's orders related to the dietary needs of patients and necessary rehabilitation requirements and treatment such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech/language therapy. Different dietary needs will be discussed and students will learn how to order patient meal trays according to the diet that has been prescribed by the physician.Required Practicum
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
The student is introduced to the hospital departments, staff, and communication in the health care setting. Students will participate in a full day, instructor-led workplace observation where they can relate classroom learning to clinical practice.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course is comprised of one full day of workplace observation. During the placement students will be expected to observe and reflect on the knowledge and skills they have gained up to that point in the program.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course will include an instructor-led orientation and a comprehensive practicum. All students will have the opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the classroom to their practicum placement while working under the supervision of a qualified preceptor. Students should be aware that responsibilities and duties will vary among locations.Entry Requirements
Locations & Dates
CNC programs have varying lengths and start dates to meet your needs, and are offered across multiple campuses where possible. Don’t see the campus you’re looking for? Check back with us soon as this page is updated throughout the school year.
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Open for Applications |
Invest in your future
Estimated over 12 months $6,657. Additional student fees and textbook costs will also apply. Prices are subject to change. Check the fee schedule for more information.
A $720 seat deposit will be required upon acceptance to the program.
Books for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.
Paying for college
Looking for a job? Check the student employment opportunities.
To find more information on applying, refunds, or the registration timetable please see the Office of the Registrar's website.
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My experience at CNC was more than I could have hoped for. I made lifelong friends and memories. With small cohorts of students we were able to create connections with fellow classmates and get the most out of every class, which was integral to managing the program’s demanding workload.
There aren’t many jobs where you can be outdoors 90 percent of your time and see different places. I’ve gotten to experience some absolutely beautiful places in B.C. that most people wouldn’t even consider going to because they are that remote, or just areas that aren’t on the general horizon of the public. I work with a helicopter quite a bit, and that’s awesome. You can’t beat that.
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